Pohang wins FA Cup for the first time in 10 years
from web site
The reversal drama on the soccer field created another wonderful history. Pohang Steelers, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, showed off their wonderful turning skills in the second half, quelling defending champion Jeonbuk Hyundai's desire to win consecutive championships. Diligent striker Zeka's sensational volley equalizer was also amazing, but the moment of Kim Jong-woo's left-footed come-from-behind winning goal, who is playing a role as a silent keeper, was so thrilling.
The Pohang Steelers, led by head coach Kim Ki-dong, won the 2023 FA Cup final at 2:15 p.m. on the 4th (Saturday) at Pohang Steel Yard with a 4-2 victory over Jeonbuk Hyundai, who came for the most wins, and won five times (1996, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2023). It was a reproduction of the final result 10 years ago (winning Pohang Steelers, runner-up in Jeonbuk Hyundai), giving a more meaningful gift to Pohang Steelers fans who celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Pohang's half-heartedness overturned three goals in the second half
Jeonbuk Hyundai, which came to win its second consecutive title following 2022 and the most FA Cup (6 times), scored first and ran away, and the still yard began to heat up earlier than expected. Song Min-gyu's left-footed goal was scored in the 17th minute. Song Min-gyu's first shot on the right foot was caught by Pohang goalkeeper Hwang In-jae's super save, but the second shot on the left foot that followed immediately was useless even if defender Ha Chang-rae protected the goal line. It was a more strange moment because the previous team where Song Min-gyu was recognized for his skills was Pohang.
Pohang Steelers players, who had home fans' shouts on their backs, scored an equalizer before the end of the first half, further raising the interest of the final. Han Chan-hee kicked the ball that Ko Young-joon handed over low from the left side with a right-footed inside shot. The 1-1 scoreboard in the first half, which was made like this, was just a preheating of the atmosphere of the finals. The hotter second half is a splendid embroidery of the final goal party.
Defending champion Jeonbuk Hyundai ran away again with Jung Woo-jae winning a penalty kick five minutes after the start of the second half. Goalkeeper Gustavo kicked a right foot penalty kick into the left corner without making a mistake. Jeonbuk Hyundai, which went ahead again, was also efficiently removing Pohang Steelers players who followed roughly as if proving their DNA to win.
However, the home team, Pohang Steelers, was not a team to back down. He was tired of playing extra time and penalty shoot-out in the semifinal match against Jeju United in Seogwipo on Wednesday night, but he mustered up his steel stamina to induce mistakes made by Jeonbuk defenders. Pohang Steelers' second ball concentration has produced amazing results since then.
Zekka's brilliant equaliser in the 74th minute volleyed in. Kim Jong-woo's header pass and Ko Young-joon's chest trapping continued toward the ball that Jeonbuk defenders poorly cleared, and Zeka's right-footed volley was inserted half-beat faster before the ball fell on the grass. And four minutes later, a more incredible come-from-behind winning goal was scored.
On the right side, Kim Jong-woo, who received the ball that Kim Seung-dae pushed with a quick judgment, turned smoothly and kicked a left-footed mid-range shot into the right corner. Zeka's equalizer in the 74th minute and Kim Jong-woo's reversal in the 78th minute seemed to confirm that Steelyard had already turned into a melting pot.
Jeonbuk Hyundai, which had a fire on its feet, decided to take out defender Jung Woo-jae in the 81st minute and let wing striker Moon Sun-min in, but was forced to collapse after being hit by Pohang Steelers substitute Hong Yoon-sang a minute into the second half. Hong Yoon-sang, who took over the short pass after Shim Sang-min pulled the ball out from the left corner under pressure, did not have enough angle, but he kicked a picturesque right-footed kick into the top corner.
Pohang Steelers, which is also in second place in the regular league by participating in the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League, will be able to successfully end the domestic soccer season and focus more on the Champions League by winning consecutive Champions League tickets next season thanks to the FA Cup trophy that was lifted for the first time in a decade. On the other hand, Jeonbuk Hyundai, which brought in head coach Dan Petrescu to rebuild the strongest Jeonbuk, saw the reality of the season without a victory. Like the Pohang Steelers, they are participating in the Champions League, but there are few soccer experts who count Jeonbuk Hyundai as the favorite.
